Manchester Evening News appeal: Time for most vulnerable to have FareShare of food

Today the MEN launches a major appeal to get more of the city’s food to vulnerable families. We are backing FareShare North West, a food distribution charity aiming to deliver more than 250 tonnes of food around Greater Manchester this year.

Now we are calling on businesses across the city to sign up to our ‘Roll of Honour’ – and pledge to get involved with our campaign and end the scandal of our hungry children.

Food and drink companies can donate surplus or in-date items to FareShare, while others can make a cash donation.

Corporate volunteers who can fundraise or act in a mentoring role to those who receive donations are also needed to give their time.

All the companies who pledge to help FareShare will be featured in the MEN - as our way of saying thank you.

All food donated to FareShare, run by Manchester-based charity Emerge, is stored in their Openshaw warehouse, before being distributed to school breakfast clubs, homeless shelters and luncheon clubs.

Both perishable and tinned or packet foods can be donated with cupboard staples such as sugar and tea particularly needed.

Financial donations will help FareShare pay for a second van to make more deliveries and run cooking sessions for needy families to help them better manage on a budget.

Lucy Danger, CEO of Emerge, said: “We are absolutely delighted that the MEN has taken up this crucial issue and is helping raise awareness of food poverty issues amongst Greater Manchester's most vulnerable individuals and families.

“In the current climate there is even more pressure on our already over-stretched resources, yet edible in-date food continues to be wasted by the food industry, causing pollution and costing money, whilst more people are going hungry due to poverty.

“What we do at FareShare, marrying up these issues, is a no brainer.

“We welcome any and all support."

FareShare currently collects surplus foods from companies including Kelloggs and Greggs, alongside fresh produce from traders at Smithfield Market.

They are also supported by corporate partners including Trafford Park-based food manufacturer Cargill’s.

Food packages are then put together for delivery to charities including homeless shelter The Mustard Tree in Ancoats and community base The Lalley Centre in Collyhurst.

But FareShare staff say demand for their help has surged as the cost of living has also risen and more people find themselves out of work.

Our appeal comes as part of an ongoing MEN campaign highlighting the shocking levels of child poverty in Manchester.

Last week we told how new figures show 40,000 youngsters in the city – 42 per cent - live below the below the poverty line.

And more than half of those children – 27 per cent – are classed as living in ‘severe poverty’, in a household where parents are struggling to manage on #100 a week or less.

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